As a life-long reader and book blogger, I’ve still haven’t exactly cracked the formula of what makes the perfect read for me. However, most of my five-star reads, regardless of the genre, can be rated as such for their 1) their un-put-downablility and 2) a premise that relates to my bookish & other interests AND delivers of course.

My Predictions

Open Road Summerby Emery Lord- I try to save summer contemporaries for the summer, but I do enjoy picking one or ten up during the winter and spring to get me through. One book I’ve saved for a while and will be saving for the summer? Emery Lord’s Open Road Summer. This is the only published Emery Lord book I haven’t read, following Regan’s summer on her best friend’s country music tour. How could I not love a book set during the summer with music, friendship and some romance?!

A Heart in a Body in the Worldby Deb Caletti- I read a Deb Caletti book many moons ago in my middle school days (I want to say it was The Fortunes of Indigo Skye) . Nonetheless, it’s time to get into her books again, starting with A Heart in a Body in the World. This book following one girl’s run from Seattle, WA to Washington D.C. after facing a horrific tragedy topped so many favorite books of 2018 lists and is a 5 star read among many bloggers and bookish friends.

I Was Born For Thisby Alice Oseman- Alice Oseman’s I Was Born For This is definitely my wildcard 5-star prediction for two reasons. One, I don’t know when I’ll read this because it hasn’t been published in the US (Book Depository here I come!). Two, Radio Silence was an absolute 5 star read for me, but unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of Solitaire. I think I Was Born For This will be a 5 star read if the focus on fandom delivers and I connect with the characters like with Radio Silence.

The Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn Bennett- Jenn Bennett’s Starry Eyes and Alex, Approximately captured my heart last year, so I’m hoping The Anatomical Shape of a Heart will do the same. The art premise has me a little bit nervous—it’s a trope/characteristic that I either love—Kasie West’s Love, Life and the List– or can’t connect to- Colleen Hoover’s Confess. Nevertheless, Jenn Bennett writes such great romance and chemistry that I think I’ll fall in love with the art scene in San Francisco.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith- Yes reader, you may have all the fangirl screams at me for not having read this YA contemporary staple—what kind of contemporary reads girl am I? I’ve really enjoyed Jennifer E. Smith’s work, and The Geography of You & Me was an unexpected 5 star read of 2018—I didn’t realize how much I would fall in love with the story and characters.

My Real Name is Hanna by Tara Lynn Masih- This book has been described as perfect for The Book Thief and Between Shades of Gray fans—aka me! Like those two books, My Real Name is Hanna sounds so unique, following a Ukrainian girl during World War II who is forced to hide in the forest with her family when the Gestapo invades Soviet-occupied Ukraine.

Once I finished reading these, I’ll be doing an update and another round of predictions!

What are some books on your TBR that you’ll think will be 5 star reads? Have you read any of the books above? Share in the comments!